Women's Hiking Poles - how do I choose?

by Jo Vartanian

What to look for when buying hiking poles?

If you’re serious about hiking you’ll soon realise that trekking poles are your second most important gear purchase after your gorgeously comfortable, quality hiking boots. If you’re not convinced, you might be interested to read Part 1 of this series – Are Trekking Poles worth it?

Purchasing trekking poles should be a serious investment and you’ll want to get it right - that’s where we can help.

Green Gully Track, NSW

It’s easy to underestimate the importance of going for a high-quality product, especially when you can buy a set of trekking poles at a department store for less than $50. Did you know that the most expensive poles are nearing $400 at reputable outdoor gear stores?

Think of it this way…if you were a serious tennis player, you would never compete (and win) with a Kmart racquet or equivalent. I have the same attitude about poles. The more you know, the more you know how important quality is and in most cases, it’s true what they say - “you get what you pay for”.

There is a lot to consider when choosing the right trekking pole and we’ve narrowed it down to 4 simple steps.

Participating in a long distance trekking event.

Step 1: Choose Quality – DON’T waste money buying cheap poles – they can be dangerous and won’t last. Cheap poles are not engineered for the high loads required when hiking. The most important thing you want from your poles is for them to be reliable and strong so that the risk of one snapping suddenly and causing a serious injury, is minimized. You are better off using no poles at all than using poles that put you at risk. You should be able to find a good quality set of poles for around $150 or above.

Step 2: Keep it Simple – Fancy features, fluoro colours and high-tech promises can sometimes be confusing and tempting as companies try to sell you their product. Essentially you need to think about the key features that YOU need – for most serious hikers it comes down to strength, length, weight and ease of function.

Step 3: Where to buy? – if you have the opportunity, ask your hiking friends what brand and type of poles they use and if possible, borrow them to test for yourself. Reputable outdoor stores generally have a good range of poles you can look at and you can research and purchase online, direct with the manufacturer. We have had positive experiences with reputable brands like Helinox, Black Diamond, Leki, Pacerpole and Komperdell.

Step 4: NOW…let’s talk about those KEY FEATURES!

• STRENGTH – knowing that your trekking pole is not going to break is essential. Quality poles are made from either “high tech” aluminum alloys or carbon fibre/graphite. Both are very strong and produce a reliable pole, but each has its own benefits. Aluminum is the strongest of the two and is generally less expensive, but it is also heavier. Graphite poles are more easily damaged.

• LENGTH – Hold your arm, elbow bent at 90 degrees, beside your body and measure the height of the pole to 2cm above the tip of the elbow. Generally, experienced hikers don’t constantly adjust the length once it is set. However, you may wish to purchase an adjustable length pole if you plan to share your poles with another person or you like adjusting the length for long descents (use a longer pole) or long ascents (use a shorter pole). There are various locking systems when adjusting pole length from the lever-like clamp mechanism to a twist-lock or a combination of the two. Non-adjustable poles use a button clip lock to ensure they remain in the extended position. Fixed-length poles are usually lighter because they don’t need these extra mechanisms and have extended grips so you can slide your hand up or down the grip to adjust the length.

Adjustable length poles with clamp locking mechanism.

• WEIGHT – A set of hiking poles usually weighs somewhere between 250g and 600g. Heavier, thicker poles may give you a feeling of greater stability, but a lightweight pole will cause less fatigue on the upper body and promote better walking technique. A lightweight set of poles would definitely be the best choice for a long-distance hiking event like the Oxfam Trailwalker 100km.

• EASE OF FUNCTION – Being able to adjust your pole length, fold your poles and stow them quickly and easily in your pack is an important consideration. Some poles are folded like a tent pole while others use a telescoping system or a combination of both. If you plan to rock scramble often, then foldability is critical. Consider the length of the poles when completely folded and how will they be stored in your pack. When not in use, I like to stow mine inside my pack so that they do not catch on trees and other natural obstacles.

Fixed length Aluminium foldable trekking poles with tungsten carbide tips

OTHER FEATURES ON OFFER.

·       Shock absorbing system – some poles have an inbuilt spring system and it gives a slight bounce feeling as the pole hits the ground – this can feel more comfortable on a long hike and it may help if you have joint issues.

·       Hand Grips – Grips are generally foam/rubber or cork and it really is just a personal preference. A simple handgrip with a strap is best so that added features don’t increase the weight of the pole. Foam/rubber grips will absorb shock and insulate against temperature but don’t do well with sweat. Cork will wick away sweat but may not last as long as foam. Long handgrips that allow you to slide your hands up and down the handle to adjust the length of the pole is very useful on steep terrain. An angled grip is designed to make your wrist position more comfortable especially on long hikes.

·       Tips/Baskets – Good quality poles will have a tungsten carbide or rubber tip. Both work fine but you will also need a rubber tip cover to absorb the sound for walking on paved areas and protect the natural environment in National Parks (usually included). Poles may also come with baskets to attach to the end of the pole – these are good for use in the snow, sand or on soft ground.

Rubber tip with basket.

FAQ

·       Is it better to use 1 pole or 2? – in my experience, you should plan to use 2 poles in most hiking situations as it provides better balance and your walking technique will be better reducing the risk of overuse injury. When the path is narrow, or you want a hand free to balance on rocks or trees then using 1 pole can be more useful.

·       Should I consider Male versus Female poles? – there is no real benefit in choosing a pole base on being a female or male design if you follow the guidelines above related to length and weight.

·       Are Nordic Walking Poles the same as Hiking Poles? – No. Nordic Walking poles are designed specifically for the Nordic Walking technique which is different from hiking. It is more like a cross-country skiing action and the poles require different materials and features.

Diamonds Coach Jacq hiking the WA Bungle Bungles.

A final word. Many people think they are too fit or too young to be using hiking poles. Or they just aren’t convinced that the investment is really worth it. I was one of those people a few years ago. Since then, I’ve seen young hiking guides quit their jobs because of chronic joint injuries that could have been avoided if they had used poles, I’ve seen many falls averted on steep tracks and I’ve personally experienced all the benefits of using poles, especially managing knee pain and engaging all the muscles of the body on a long hike to reduce fatigue! I pride myself in being fit, young at heart and thrifty and for the serious hiker, I am convinced that poles are worth every cent. My poles go everywhere with me, fold up easily in my luggage and hiking pack and keep me healthy and supported whenever I need them. I’m happy to just smile when non-pole users pass me on the trails and make their cheeky jokes (usually “where’s the snow?”), knowing my choice to use poles is the smart choice.